The UK government has introduced a new AI Code of Practice intended to protect companies developing AI systems from being hacked. The Code sets out how companies using AI can protect themselves from cyberattacks through a range of measures such as implementing appropriate training programs, developing recovery plans and carrying out robust risk assessments. The Code will be submitted into the European Telecommunications Standards Institute's Securing AI Committee where, the UK government hopes, it will be used to develop a global standard for safer AI development. Last month the government announced an AI Opportunities Action Plan that will see, among other things, the setting up of AI Growth Zones where it will be easier for data center companies to get planning permission for new facilities. (See Eurobites: UK government prescribes a massive injection of AI.)
Egypt a bright spot in Vodacom's Q3
A stronger rand, greater uptake of prepaid tariffs and a 40.6% increase in data traffic in its home market helped South Africa's Vodacom grow its group revenue by 1.6% year-over-year in the third quarter, to 39.5 billion South African rand (US$2.09 billion). Commercial momentum was strong in Vodacom's Egyptian market too, with a 40.7% increase in financial services customers to 10.5 million and a 25.6% improvement in data traffic. Egypt now accounts for 22.3% of the group's total service revenue. (See Vodacom earnings fall due to Ethiopia, Egypt currency woes.)
KPN upgrades antennas in high-speed rail tunnel
Dutch operator KPN – in collaboration with Odido and Vodafone – has improved train-tunnel mobile coverage on the HSL route between Amsterdam and the southern city of Breda. The 7km-long Groene Hart Tunnel is the last of five tunnels on the route to have been equipped with mobile antennas. According to KPN, the high speed of the trains in the tunnels called for special, pressure-resistant assembly techniques.
Openreach boosts FTTH (fiber-to-the-Hebrides)
Openreach, the semi-autonomous network access arm of BT, has brought "ultrafast" broadband to the Hebridean islands of Tiree and Iona off the coast of Scotland. The rollout forms part of Scottish government's "Reaching 100%" (R100) program.
Openreach has also been revealing the network damage wreaked by Storm Eowyn, which raged across most the UK in January and was described by the Met Office as the the country's most powerful windstorm for over a decade. More than 500 poles (out of 4 million across the whole country) were badly damaged and in need of replacement. At the height of the storm, on Friday, January 24, Openreach experienced a 1,400% increase in contacts from members of the public compared to av typical day.
PoP goes Crete, courtesy of EXA
UK-based EXA Infrastructure has activated a point of presence with colocation company Digital Realty on the Greek island of Crete. The partnership will support the development of Digital Realty's first data center in Crete, HER1, which is scheduled to become operational in early 2025 with an expected initial capacity of 1 MW.
Telia highlights sustainability of Norwegian network upgrade
Nordic operator Telia has revealed that it reused and recycled around 70 tons of legacy equipment during the modernization of its Norwegian network. It sent 12,805 used basestation parts after the 5G upgrade to TXO, its reuse/recycling partner, which scanned all network equipment to determine whether the units should be put in a warehouse for resale or recycled. (See Expired support contracts are top cause of decommissioned telco equipment – TXO report.)
Ofcom takes charge of premium-rate services
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has taken complete charge of regulating premium-rate phone services. Consumers can access a range of interactive services via their landline and mobile phones, computers and digital TVs: When they pay for these services via their phone bill, they are known as phone-paid or premium-rate services. Until now, Ofcom and the Phone-Paid Services Authority (PSA) had jointly overseen the services.
Salt savors fixed-line test success
Salt has been rated as Switzerland's fastest fixed-line provider (again) by testing firm Ookla. Its ultrafast broadband service achieved the top download/upload scores and the lowest latency during the third and fourth quarters of 2024.